[ LETTER ]

Pepper Spraying in Jail

Published: Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 12:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at 8:12 p.m.

Your article by Rick Rousos says Magistrate Judge Mark Pizzo criticized pepper spraying juveniles in jail and said more supervision was needed to prevent it ["Judge Against Pepper Spraying Juveniles," March 29.]

Kids are different from adults, but teenagers are out of the kids division at 16 and do not have to attend school. Teenagers are not kids, but pre-adult. They are much larger in size and strength than kids.

Webster's Dictionary defines supervision as critical watching and directing. This is why the teens end up in jail — they don't accept supervision at home.

So why does Judge Pizzo think they are going to accept it in jail? If family, schools, church and friends have not been able to get the teen to accept obeying rules and regulations, how can one think being in jail makes them compliant without some discipline measures?

Trying to make teenagers kids doesn't help them or society. The teen years are the fast track to being adult. Childhood is behind them.

Today's society is hard on those who enter adult life unprepared, certainly when they cannot tolerate supervision. How are they going to hold a job?

What is adequate training for rebellious teenagers? When one is rebelling against society, it is a hostile environment within itself.

The person is full of hostilities, and meets everyone and everything with this attitude. This is what Sheriff Grady Judd seeks to break down the barriers of in teens.

To accept rules and regulations set up by society, and take responsibility for their actions and their lives. Sheriff Judd is aware he gets them after everyone else has failed. If he fails, they go from jail to prison.

The victory comes in being able to continue trying to help our troubled teens, not as kids, but prepare them for becoming adults.

<p>Your article by Rick Rousos says Magistrate Judge Mark Pizzo criticized pepper spraying juveniles in jail and said more supervision was needed to prevent it ["Judge Against Pepper Spraying Juveniles," March 29.]</p><p>Kids are different from adults, but teenagers are out of the kids division at 16 and do not have to attend school. Teenagers are not kids, but pre-adult. They are much larger in size and strength than kids.</p><p>Webster's Dictionary defines supervision as critical watching and directing. This is why the teens end up in jail — they don't accept supervision at home.</p><p>So why does Judge Pizzo think they are going to accept it in jail? If family, schools, church and friends have not been able to get the teen to accept obeying rules and regulations, how can one think being in jail makes them compliant without some discipline measures?</p><p>Trying to make teenagers kids doesn't help them or society. The teen years are the fast track to being adult. Childhood is behind them.</p><p>Today's society is hard on those who enter adult life unprepared, certainly when they cannot tolerate supervision. How are they going to hold a job?</p><p>What is adequate training for rebellious teenagers? When one is rebelling against society, it is a hostile environment within itself.</p><p>The person is full of hostilities, and meets everyone and everything with this attitude. This is what Sheriff Grady Judd seeks to break down the barriers of in teens.</p><p>To accept rules and regulations set up by society, and take responsibility for their actions and their lives. Sheriff Judd is aware he gets them after everyone else has failed. If he fails, they go from jail to prison.</p><p>The victory comes in being able to continue trying to help our troubled teens, not as kids, but prepare them for becoming adults.</p><p>ESTELLE HUMPHRIES</p><p>Lakeland</p>